Paul Pogba might face a four-year penalty after his backup B sample tested positive on Friday, with Juventus now deciding his future.
Former Manchester United player Paul Pogba is facing a four-year ban after a positive counter-analysis on a B sample.
The France international has not played for Juventus since he was suspended after a drug test revealed he had failed. After the Old Lady’s 3-0 victory over Udinese on August 20, Pogba was chosen at random for a test. He had been an unutilized substitute.
Since then, Pogba has been suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal, and a counter-analysis sample has been tested positive as well. Pogba’s case will now be decided by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal; he might receive a two- to four-year suspension.
When the initial negative sample came back positive, Pogba’s representative Rafaela Pimenta issued the following statement: “We are waiting for the counter-analysis and until then we can’t say anything. The certain thing is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break the rules.”
Juventus will determine how to handle Pogba’s contract, as the Frenchman’s current contract expires in less than three years. Pogba returned to Juventus after being released by Manchester United last summer, but he struggled in his debut season back at the Allianz Stadium.
Pogba was sidelined for about five months after undergoing knee surgery. He returned to the bench for the home game against Monza in January before suffering another physical setback, this time with his groin, which forced him to miss three Serie A games.
After substituting against Torino and Roma in the second half, Pogba tore his abductor muscle. He appeared eight more times in all competitions, including the first half of Sevilla’s Europa League semi-final defeat, where he produced his first and only assist of the season.
Due to a hamstring injury, Pogba was forced to miss the final four games of the season, but he made a comeback for the preseason. He was an unused replacement in the opener against Udinese before coming on against Bologna and Empoli, where he played a total of 50 minutes.
Speaking ahead of his side’s game against Torino, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri admitted he is “sorry” for the situation involving Pogba. “I didn’t know about the confirmation, I am sorry,” Allegri said. “We are waiting for what’s coming next, it’s useless to comment now. Humanly, I am sorry.”
